Following school years that were either virtual or filled with social distancing, field trips are slowly making their way back to class schedules.

For a group of Syracuse Latin School students, the first trip back is to the Everson Museum of Art.

“Well, it feels like good to be out with my friends,” said Lamahj Graham, 10. "I like looking at different arts that could be, like, inspired. I feel like I can learn a lot from it."

During the trip, the class is taught how to draw a local historic building in downtown Syracuse using perspective.

“It's especially important right now, coming out of the pandemic, students spend so much time in their homes that these experiences are particularly important to our young learners right now,” said Syracuse City School District Director of Fine Arts Rory Edwards. “Fine arts gives students a sense of self. The fine arts are an opportunity for students to learn who they are and become better versions of themselves.”

When Graham began her day at the museum, she wasn’t confident about her art. Before long, she seemed more comfortable.

“Yes, I do feel like I'm getting better art, probably. Still bad,” she said at one point.

But with more teaching and some encouragement from friends, her tone changed.

“Mine is amazing!” she exclaimed, holding up her painting.

The Syracuse district says that, over the course of one month, more than 1,300 fifth graders visited the Everson Museum.

According to the state education department, districts are encouraged to explore ways to enhance classroom rigor with experiential learning opportunities like field trips and school visits from content experts, but ultimately, field trips are a local decision.

There are state and federal grants that allow field trips as an acceptable use of funds, but currently, there is no specific funding for field trips.